ABSTRACT I write the research of “Difficulties and mistakes in writing English of grade 10th students at The Asian International School, Cao Thang campus” to support my graduation from T
Statement of problem
English has become the most popular language in the world, highlighting the importance of strong writing skills Writing is essential for expressing thoughts clearly and is widely used across various professional and academic contexts However, many people encounter mistakes or difficulties when composing English paragraphs, sentences, or essays, leading to potential misunderstandings by readers This issue is especially prevalent in high school education, where students often struggle with writing proficiency Improving writing skills is crucial for effective communication and ensuring that ideas are accurately conveyed.
Vietnamese high school students still get some difficulties in writing English
Since this problem happens to most students in Vietnam I decided to choose this topic:
“Difficulties and mistakes in writing English of grade 10th students at The Asian
International School, Cao Thang campus” to find out barriers which constrain their development in writing English
Purposes of the study
This study aims to identify the key barriers high school students face when writing English essays or paragraphs, focusing on common difficulties such as grammar, vocabulary, coherence, and essay structure By understanding these challenges in depth, the research seeks to offer effective solutions to improve students' writing skills This investigation provides valuable insights into student struggles, enabling educators to develop targeted strategies for enhancing English writing proficiency.
Significance of the research
This research is essential for everyone, aiming to identify students' challenges in learning to write in English and provide effective solutions Conducted to assist both teachers and students in recognizing and addressing weaknesses in writing skills, this study also seeks to contribute to educational development in Vietnam Additionally, it plays a crucial role in my graduation, showcasing my academic progress at Saigon International University.
Research questions
What difficulties do students in high schools get in writing English?
Why do they get into dificulties with writing?
How do they improve their writing skills?
Scope and limitation of the study
This study focuses specifically on enhancing English writing skills, with only brief mentions of other language skills to support overall English proficiency The research will be conducted at Saigon International University, while data collection will take place through a survey at Asian International School Collaboration will involve students from Class 10/32 at Asian International School.
International School to complete this study
Due to the limited ten-week timeframe for this study on "Difficulties and mistakes in writing English among Grade 10 students at The Asian International School, Cao Thang campus," there may be some errors in the research despite my efforts to minimize them Challenges encountered during the survey process included students' lack of cooperation in filling out questionnaires, as well as logistical issues like traffic congestion when traveling between home, school, and survey locations Additionally, the short duration restricted my ability to thoroughly review and incorporate external knowledge on English writing, which may result in a lack of supporting evidence for some findings.
Definitions of Key Terms
Vietnamese high school students in grades 10 to 12 often face challenges when writing in English, including difficulties with essay structure, word choices, and vocabulary These common issues can hinder their ability to communicate ideas effectively and improve their language skills Overcoming these problems requires targeted practice and guidance to enhance writing proficiency and confidence in English composition.
Review Previous Works
Writing is an essential skill integrated into every aspect of our daily lives, from composing notes, emails, and letters to creating documents and texting others As highlighted by Geikhman, writing is a fundamental part of human communication across all languages However, many individuals face challenges and make mistakes while writing, which can lead to confusion for readers Developing strong writing skills is crucial for clear and effective communication in both personal and professional contexts.
Writing is a fundamental language skill essential for expressing ideas, thoughts, opinions, and attitudes As highlighted by a 2015 study, writing enables individuals to share feelings, persuade others, and effectively communicate messages Mastering writing skills is crucial for conveying thoughts clearly and convincingly in various personal and professional contexts.
(Alfaki,2015,p.40) Therefore, we can see the importance of writing skills in English If you can improve your writing skills, your career will be better in the future
Verbs changing forms based on tense and subject pose significant challenges for second language learners, particularly in writing (Tyner, 1987) Many Vietnamese students learning English often make grammatical mistakes, such as omitting the "s" ending on verbs when used with third-person singular subjects like he, she, or it Additionally, students frequently forget to change verbs from present tense to past tense when writing about past events, leading to errors in their sentences and paragraphs.
Effective writing instruction is essential in education, yet many English learners find it challenging and unengaging According to Celia Jenkins (2017), teaching writing is a crucial component of educational programs, but it is often not well received by students Khrista Cendana (2018) highlights that writing courses can become boring, especially for students who lack interest in writing Zoe Nixon (2018) points out that writers frequently experience moments of uncertainty or self-doubt about their ability to produce quality work These issues contribute to students feeling bored, uninspired, and discouraged, leading to a lack of confidence in their writing skills Overcoming these challenges is vital for making writing classes more engaging and effective for learners.
In 2015, Sarah Macfadyen highlighted that English grammar poses challenges for both native speakers and those learning English as a second language The complex rules and numerous exceptions often lead to varied teaching methods across generations, aiming to improve literacy among English writers (Macfadyen, 2015) Additionally, proper grammar is essential for effective writing, as correct grammar ensures that readers accurately understand the writer’s ideas.
Some methods that make students feel interested in learning English writing skills
According to an article in 2015 writen by Stephanie Long, she provided ways to make learning English writing skills more exciting:
Encourage students to select topics for writing that reflect their passions, giving them maximum freedom to explore subjects they genuinely care about Allowing students to write about their favorite basketball players, movies, or personal interests can significantly boost their engagement and writing confidence Even initially reluctant or writing-phobic students often find themselves motivated and capable of producing extensive, meaningful content when they focus on topics they love (Long, 2015).
Encouraging students to choose topics they're genuinely interested in fosters engagement and motivation in the classroom When students focus strictly on the lesson, they have the opportunity to enhance their creativity, which is essential for effective brainstorming and idea development Allowing students to select their own topics not only boosts their enthusiasm but also helps improve their critical thinking skills, making them better prepared for future writing assignments This approach promotes a student-centered learning environment that supports individualized growth and academic success.
Methods to improve writing English skills for students
There was an article which was writen by Karen Dikson in 2016 said that:
Consistent, repetitive practice is essential for improving human skills To enhance student writing, incorporate brief daily writing sessions into your classroom routine, encouraging students to write a small number of words on a specific topic each day While initial efforts may be challenging, regular practice will significantly improve their writing skills over time (Dikson, 2016).
Her method involves teachers assigning students extensive writing homework to enhance their skills This approach is widely adopted across various educational settings and is popular among students everywhere While this method may not be effective for every learner, it has proven successful for many English learners in certain situations.
Research design
To identify the difficulties students face when writing in English, I chose a quantitative research method According to McLeod (2017), quantitative research involves collecting numerical data that can be categorized, ranked, or measured, allowing for the creation of graphs and tables I selected this method because my study was based on a survey, which provided measurable data through respondents' answers.
Procedures
As I received the requirement of writing graduation thesis on Feburary 27th, 2019, I immediately obtained helps from Mr Nguyen Thanh Tuan who was a great instructor After that, I got a schedule of research procedures which was planned by himself
Week 1, 2, 3: Chapter 1 and 2 were completed and corrected
Week 4, 5: Chapter 3 and 4 were completed and corrected
Week 6: Chapter 5 was completed and corrected
Week 7, 8, 9 and 10 were reserved for correcting other mistakes and finishing the research
This research aims to investigate the difficulties high school students face when writing in English, exploring the reasons behind these challenges and potential ways to improve their writing skills A survey was designed to identify the main obstacles students encounter, such as problems they face when composing essays, sentences, or paragraphs The study also seeks to understand the underlying causes of errors and difficulties in their writing process Based on the survey findings, practical solutions are proposed to effectively enhance the English writing skills of high school students, particularly those in 10th grade.
To understand the common challenges students face when writing in English, I conducted a questionnaire to identify key areas of difficulty Students often struggle with grammar mistakes, incorrect word choices, and issues with sentence and paragraph structure Additionally, limited vocabulary variation can hinder the clarity and richness of their writing Addressing these issues is essential to improve their overall English writing skills and achieve better communication.
Participants responded to my questions by selecting answers on paper, providing me with valuable insights into the challenges students face This approach allowed me to understand the underlying reasons behind their difficulties with constructing paragraphs and sentences in English, enabling targeted support and effective teaching strategies.
After collecting and analyzing student survey responses, I evaluated key sections presented through charts to identify common issues Based on these insights, I provided targeted solutions to address students' challenges in learning English This process enabled teachers and students to develop effective strategies for enhancing teaching and learning outcomes in English language education.
Participants
For my research, I selected tenth-grade students from Class 10/32 at The Asian International School, located at 177 Bis 2, Cao Thang Street, Ward 12, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City My internship at this school provided me with advantageous access, as I obtained permission from the school manager and my internship instructor, enabling me to conduct my survey effectively The class I chose consisted of twenty students enrolled in two different programs, offering a representative sample for my study.
Students at Asian School, both Vietnamese and international, enjoy a advantageous English learning environment In the morning, they learn English with Vietnamese teachers, ensuring a strong foundation in language skills In the afternoon, students have the opportunity to interact with native English-speaking teachers, enhancing their conversational skills and cultural understanding This comprehensive approach provides students with a competitive edge in mastering English compared to other schools.
Sample Selection
I completed my internship and research at The Asian International School, specifically at the Cao Thang campus in Ho Chi Minh City, which is part of a group with seven branches This campus offers education from grades one through twelve, with approximately ten classes per grade I had the opportunity to teach a tenth-grade class, 10/32, which consisted of twenty students and was ideal for my survey I conducted my survey on May 6th at 8:40 am, making it convenient to gather data in a timely manner.
My survey lasted for 30 minutes a class 10/30 room 401B.
Material Techniques
During my research, I utilized Google Forms as a powerful survey tool, allowing me to easily create questionnaires and collect responses from participants worldwide This web application offers unmatched convenience, enabling users to distribute forms quickly and gather a large number of responses in a short period Additionally, Google Forms automatically generates visual charts of the collected data, aiding in the identification of trends and insights To present my findings professionally, I used Microsoft Word to compile and showcase my research effectively.
Data collections
I conducted my survey by creating a questionnaire using Google Forms, which was then printed on A4 paper for ease of response I prepared twenty copies of the survey for the twenty students in class 10/32 at The Asian International School I personally distributed the printed questionnaires to the students, who then spent thirty minutes answering eleven questions designed to gather relevant data.
Students had to answer these questions for 30 minutes from 8:40 am to 9:10 am Then, I collected their answered paper for analizing data.
Reliability and Validity
My research is reliable due to a carefully conducted survey process outlined in the procedures All twenty participants had strong English comprehension, ensuring accurate responses Additionally, the study references established works, allowing for meaningful comparison between my survey results and previous research, enhancing the validity of the findings.
My study is valuable because it is based on reliable responses from students, ensuring accurate data collection The survey focused on gathering precise numerical information, which strengthened the validity of the findings Analyzing the responses from twenty students in class 10/32 revealed common mistakes and difficulties that students face when writing English, providing strong evidence for understanding their challenges.
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I did the survey, there were some questions that students did not have mistakes Therefore, I just chose survey questions that proved students’s mistakes and difficulties in writing
English Also, I described and evaluated each graph in detail by proportions.
Chart 4.1: Difficult skills of English to learn
The graph illustrated proportion of students in class 10/32 at The Asian International School had problems with listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills in English
As I could see that students in class 10/32 had difficulties with listening and writing the most while there was only a small percentage of students who had trouble with speaking English There were 85% students who felt difficult to write English Therefore, most students had trouble with writing skills They might get bored when they were in a writing class
Therefore, they might not practice their writing skills regularly
The pie chart demonstrated percentage of students who had problem with thinking ideas when writing English
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Chart 4.3: Problems in writing English
The bar graph showed the rate of students had problems with grammar, vocabulary, coherence, logic, struture of a sentence, a paragraph or an essay
As I could see in the graph above, vocabulary accounts for the most (80%) compared with others There were also 50% of students who felt that they need to improve their structure of a sentence, a paragraph or an essay In the graph, two things that students regularly had mistakes were vocabulary and structure of a sentence, a paragraph or an essay Therefore, lack of words in writing English was a big problem because they could not describe their thoughts and ideas clearly which were very important for readers to understand them Additionally, getting faults of structure of sentences, paragraphs, or essays was a huge trouble as well That was to say that readers might misunderstand what writers illustrated in their works
Chart 4.4: Choosing righ type of a sentence
The pie chart illustrated proportion of students’ answers to “Because my coffee was too cold,
I heated it in the microwave” type of sentence
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Chart 4.5: Choosing righ type of a sentence
The pie chart demonstrated proportion of students’ answers to “They got there early, and they got really good seats” type of sentence
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Both chart 4.4 and chart 4.5 showed me that students had confusion between types of sentences, especially compound and complex sentence
Compound sentences are composed of two independent clauses, allowing for the expression of related ideas within a single sentence Complex sentences include one dependent clause and one independent clause, providing additional detail and depth to the statement In contrast, simple sentences contain only one independent clause, making them clear and straightforward Understanding the differences between compound, complex, and simple sentences is essential for creating well-structured and engaging writing Incorporating these sentence types can enhance the clarity and flow of your content, improving readability and SEO performance.
Methods to improve writing skills
Grade 10 students at The Asian International School found writing in English to be challenging, as illustrated in Chart 4.1, which shows that they perceive writing as a difficult skill to master According to Karen Dikson (2016), understanding students' struggles with writing is essential for developing effective teaching strategies to enhance their English proficiency.
Consistent, repetitive practice is essential for improving any human skill To enhance student writing skills, consider implementing daily brief writing sessions in your classroom routine Encourage students to write a small amount of words on a specific topic each day, helping them build confidence and skill over time While initial discomfort may occur, regular practice will significantly improve their writing abilities (Dikson, 2016).
Implementing daily small paragraph writing homework can significantly enhance students’ writing skills and expand their vocabulary This consistent practice helps students develop more positive attitudes towards writing classes, transforming them from boring to engaging experiences Over time, students become more confident and interested in writing, making their learning process more effective and enjoyable.
One effective method to develop ideas clearly in English writing is to sketch an outline before elaborating on details This approach helps organize thoughts and ensures logical flow in essays or paragraphs It is widely used and suitable for students and writers of all levels, making it an essential technique for productive and coherent writing.
Effective structuring is essential for clear academic writing, as it ensures a smooth progression of ideas by logically linking related points Organizing your work with a coherent order helps your arguments develop naturally, making your writing easier to follow Proper structure guides readers through your ideas, highlighting connections and maintaining a logical flow throughout your work.
Effective writing in English and other languages relies heavily on a well-structured outline, which helps students organize their ideas clearly Creating an outline ensures that they stay on topic and maintain coherence throughout their article Proper organization through outlining enhances readability and improves the overall quality of their writing.
In addition, in an outline, they can list all their ideas, which make their writing become easier
Based on charts 4.4 and 4.5, students often misunderstand the differences between simple, compound, and complex sentences, leading to common writing errors Jack Milgram (2018) notes that "the most typical sentence errors are fragments and run-on sentences," highlighting the importance of targeted sentence writing exercises Additionally, teachers should focus on teaching students proper punctuation and the effective use of commas to prevent run-on sentences, which occur when two or more main clauses are incorrectly joined without appropriate punctuation.
To help students become familiar with new vocabulary, teachers should utilize effective teaching methods According to Claudia Pesce, incorporating visual aids, smells, sounds, and tastes can significantly enhance students’ understanding of new words (Pesce, n.d.) This approach makes learning more accessible by minimizing the need for translation between English and Vietnamese, thereby improving vocabulary acquisition.
English remains the most popular language worldwide, essential for communication, listening, writing, and reading Among these skills, writing is often considered the most challenging for learners, especially young people This study specifically focuses on grade 10 students at The Asian International School, as mastering English writing skills poses significant difficulties for many learners Due to limited time, the research was conducted exclusively on students from class 10/32.
In my research, I reviewed existing studies to better understand the challenges students face when writing essays, paragraphs, or sentences To strengthen my findings, I employed a quantitative research method The study was conducted at The Asian International School, where I collaborated with 10th-grade students to gather valuable data through surveys.
I created a multiple-choice question table for students to answer, and after collecting their responses via Google Forms, I analyzed the results using charts The survey revealed that most students find writing challenging, especially in brainstorming ideas and understanding sentence types To address these issues, I provided effective solutions in Chapter Four, designed to help students overcome these difficulties and improve their writing skills.
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Improving your writing skills requires consistent practice and incorporating effective exercises into your routine According to Nixon (2018), engaging in specific exercises can significantly enhance your ability to communicate clearly and confidently These activities include daily writing prompts, reading widely to expand vocabulary, and practicing editing to refine your style By integrating these strategies, writers can develop a stronger command of language and produce more compelling content Regularly dedicating time to these exercises is essential for continuous improvement and mastering the art of effective writing.
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1 Which skills do you find the most difficult to learn?
2 Do you think that you spend much time practicing writing at school?
3 Do your teacher give you homework of writing sentences or essays?
4 Have you ever been asked to write an essay?
5 Anyway, do you know how many parts of an essay? (If you do not know, let’s guess)
6 List three main parts of an essay in order?
7 Do you have any problems with thinking about ideas when writing an essays?
8 Do you have any problems with?